Jenny and Melissa McCarthy aren’t at odds, despite rumors that the reality star criticized her cousin’s weight in the past. Jenny spoke out Tuesday about the rumors in a bid to squash them completely and reinforce the fact that she has nothing but love for Melissa.

Jenny McCarthy told PEOPLE exclusively, “There is a crazy story going around that I once told my cousin, Melissa, that she would have to lose weight in order to get into show business. Nothing could be further from the truth.”

While Jenny helped the actress get her foot in the door, Melissa McCarthy’s success in the spotlight is her own doing. Jenny explained that when Melissa was just starting out, “I was fortunate enough to be in a position to get her a job on a show I was doing.”

It was there that the actress learned the ropes and got experience on a TV set. Jenny added, “She has accomplished everything she has accomplished through hard work and her extraordinary talent, and I’ve only ever encouraged and supported and wished her the very best.”

The rumor that Jenny criticized Melissa McCarthy for her weight began when gossip sites learned the Dirty Love star didn’t invite her cousin to her upcoming wedding to Donnie Wahlberg. Radar Onlinereported the rumor earlier this week, claiming that Jenny McCarthy criticized Melissa for her weight in 1997 when the actress served as a production assistant on the comedy series Jenny.

The site quoted a source familiar with the situation saying, “The cousins were close at one time, but they’ve grown distant over the past few years.” The supposed source added of Jenny’s weight comments, “That really hurt Melissa, and now she’s having the last laugh. She’s proving you don’t need to be a size 2 with fake boobs to make it!”

According to Jenny McCarthy Tuesday, the statements are not only false, they are also hurtful. Jenny told PEOPLE, “It’s hurtful that people make up stories that pit not just families, but specifically women, against each other.”

As for why Melissa won’t be at the wedding, Jenny explained, “Donnie and I are planning a very intimate ceremony that will involve a very small group of our closest friends and that’s it.” She added that the wedding is “not a huge production with hundreds of friends and extended families.”

Given the source of the rumor pitting Jenny and Melissa McCarthy against each other, we’re inclined to believe the actress’ comments to PEOPLE Tuesday.